Expert: Jim Hyland - 4/21/2006

Question
Hello, I live in Austin, TX.  The home builder planted live oak trees in the front yard that seemed to have grown nearly nothing in the last 2 1/2 yrs.  Is there any organic practice that could boost the growth of these trees?

Answer
Newly planted Oaks seem to s grow a root system before they start to put on much height growth. I would help this process along by fertilizing the trees with 13-13-13 fertilizer. Spread about a double handful around the tree and water this into the ground and mulch around the tree  Repeat the fertilizer about every couple of  months until the fall. Make sure the tree gets at least 1 inch of water each week so it can absorb the fertilizer.